Staff Writer
ROCKPORT – The Viking wrestlers grappled into third place at Saturday’s Class B Eastern Maine Championship. Bolstered by their two Eastern Maine champions, Carlin Dubay and Brian Vrieze, Caribou contested with Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield to take their place behind Belfast and Camden Hills.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson Senior Corey Lajoie attempts to get a stronger hold on his opponent during a regular season home meet. Lajoie placed third in his division at the Eastern Maine tournament.
“I was pleasantly surprised that we finished in third,” commented head coach Todd Alley. “MCI was ahead of us the round before, but in the championship finals we had two to their one.”
Senior Dubay pinned Belfast’s Jordan Young at 37 seconds for the 103-pound division Class B title.
Vrieze outscored MCI’s Donald Russell in the 112-pound division for his Eastern Maine victory.
Sophomore Dan Saucier defeated Winslow’s Dallas Cherry in the 125-pound division, and finished in third place.
“Saucier did very well, and had to beat two opponents ranked higher than him,” explained Alley. “I knew he could place if he minimized mistakes.”
Senior Corey Lajoie also made a third-place showing in the 160-pound weight class when he pinned Hermon’s Ben Cyr at 2:46.
Freshmen Lance Jandreau and Jerry Ferszt tussled to fourth place in the 119-pound and 130-pound divisions, respectively.
“This is the first time since I’ve been coaching that Caribou has had two Eastern Maine champs in one year,” said Alley. “We hope to set another precedent next week by having two state champs. I’m sure they’ll be up for it.”